I really did not know where to take the kids to watch fireworks last night. A year ago, we went to the top of Pacific Island Drive and saw three simultaneous shows, but they all seemed distant. So we chose to try another place. Two years ago, we went to Dana Wharf which was not bad; however, parking made it inaccessible if you did not go early. We decided to just drive by some places to test our luck. Our first and last stop was Salt Creek Beach.

Salt Creek beach is our favorite beach to just go to and play in the water and sand. The parking is at the top of a very steep and long grass field. At the bottom is the sandy beach. Because of the steepness and length of the grass field, it discourages a lot of people from going there if they don’t like to work. But the beauty of the beach is just something else. It is also a surfers paradise; however, you have to be real good to surf there.

On the fourth of July evening, you could see two fireworks displays. One is close to you being shot from the other side of the Hotel. But the hotel cuts off the bottom of the show. The other show is shot from a boat in the ocean somewhat to the West of the beach. With the reflections from the ocean, it was rather beautiful.

We tested three locations during the display. Near the top of the grass field – whichi is where the masses were, it was good. But the other locations were better. Two thirds down the hill, the visuals of the fireworks behind the hotel where improved. The best location was on the sandy beach itself. The ocean views for the fireworks shot up from the boat were just fabulous. And the fireworks from behind the hotel were fabulous as well. We now know where we will be next year and the years to come on the evenings of the 4th of July.

I think our long weekends on the fourth of July up in the mountains are over now. Luke and Desiree are no longer scared of Fireworks. Luke is not so fond of camping. And while Desiree likes it, the excitement has waned somewhat. The Sierra mountains; however, are still the ultimate escape for me.